Machine tool feeding mechanism



Feb. 8, 1944. J. c. GARAND 2,340,874

MACHINE TOOL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 IIIH lllll arwcmm John [I C ar and maamwvtamw Feb. 8, 1944. J. c. GARAND MACHINE TOOL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed March 20, 1943 3 Sheets- Sheet 2 John [3-5a 3mm rand A 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 nvwim 1944- J. c. GARAND MACHINE TOOL FEEDING MECHANISM Filed. March 20, 1943 Patented Feb. 8, 1944 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,340,874 MACHINE TOOL FEEDING MECHANISM John C. Garand, Springfield, Mass. Application March 20, 1943, Serial No. 479,827

11 Claims.

(Granted under the act 0!.

amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0.

The invention described herein may be manuiactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes. without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a feeding mechanism for a machine tool, particularly for a thread cutting machine tool.

The conventional manner of cutting threads upon a cylindrical member relies on self-feeding of the cylindrical member into the thread cutting dies, that is, the threads cut on such cylindrical member serve to advance the member into the dies. It is apparent that much diiliculty would arise from such method when it is desired to cut a relatively fine thread upon the end of a cylindrical member of large mass. This problem is particularly acute in the cutting of a fine thread upon the end of a rifle barrel. The mass of the barrel is so large with respect to the size of the threads being provided for advancing the barrel into the dies except the self-feeding action of such dies on the thread, it is found that the threads produced are badly torn and rough and entirely unsuitable for use.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a feeding mechanism for a thread cutting machine tool to support and advance a cylindrical member of large mass into a thread cutting die to form a fine thread on one end of the cylindrical member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for a thread cutting machine tool, to support a firearm barrel, and feed the barrel into a thread cutting die to cut a fine thread on one end of the cylindrical member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for a thread cutting machine tool, to support a firearm barrel, and feed the barrel into a thread cutting die to cut a fine thread on one end of such barrel without imposing feeding strain on such threads.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for a thread cutting machine tool for cutting & fine thread on the muzzle end of a firearm barrel such as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,892,141 to John C. Garand.

Still another object of this invention is to provide for a machine tool a supporting apparatus to support a firearm barrel while making machine tool operations thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a thread cutting machine tool for the production of identical threads on successive components.

The specific nature of the invention as well as cut that if no means are March 3, 1883, as

other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevatlonal view of the threading machine.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the bearing block.

Fig. 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the plane 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged partial view showing the latch held in engagement with the lead screw by the pawl.

Fig. 6 is a. perspective view of the slide.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane 1-4 01 Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view block.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing in detail the connection between the lever and the link.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view showing the stop assembled to the end of the slide.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane H-H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a partial right side elevational view of the die head and yoke showing the trip block assembled to the slide.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged partial longitudinal sectional view showing the swiveling mounting of the barrel tube to the slide.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing the method of latching the barrel.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to similar parts, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in assembled relation a preferred form of machine tool embodying this invention. A bearing block I is secured by four screws 36. 3f. 3a and 3h, two of which, 3e and 3!, are shown, to one end of a suitable base 2. The bearing block I is an integrally cast member comprising a base la, an upwardly projecting bearing bracket lb on one end of the base la and an upwardly projecting bracket lc on the other end of base la. Two long integral bosses Id and le are provided on the face of bracket lc as viewed in Fig. 3. The bracket lb projects somewhat above the bracket ic. 0n the bracket lb two small bosses Ia and lh are provided as shown in Fig. 1. An integral vertical web member If is provided in the center of base la to support brackets lb and lo. An integral bifurcated end 17' of web I f projects a short distance beyond the face of bracket lc.

of the bearing A suitably bored hole [It in the upper portion of bracket Ibis provided to receive a spindle 3. The spindle 3 is a tubular member comprising at one end a long gear-toothed portion 3a, a central bearing portion 3b, which fits snugly but movably within the hole Ilc of bracket lb, and a hub 30 which is of somewhat larger diameter than the bearing portion 3b. The hub 30 bears against the face of bracket lb. In the bearing portion 3b of spindle 3. and centrally disposed thereon radial oil holes 4a, 4b, 4c and M (Fig. 4) are provided which connect with an axial hole M in the spindle 3. An axial hole 6 is provided in the geartoothed portion 3a of the spindle 3.

A shaft I of a motor (not shown) is inserted in the hole 6 of the spindle 3. The spindle 3 is held in locked relation with the shaft 7 by a key 8 which engages a suitable slot 9 in the walls of the hole 3. A set screw I which passes through a suitable hole in the spindle 3 enters a slight recess i in the shaft I.

A shaft I2 of a conventional thread cutting die head I3 is inserted within the axial hole 3d of the spindle 3. A set screw I4, provided in a threaded hole in spindle 3, engages a recess in the shaft I2, thereby looking the die head l3 to the spindle 3. An axial oil hole I2a (Fig. 4) is provided in the shaft l2 of die head I3 and four radial oil holes I2b, I20, lid and I2e in the shaft I2 are aligned with corresponding oil holes 4a,

4b, 4c and 4d in the spindle 3. An internal annular oil grove l8 (Fig. 4) is provided on the interior surface of the hole Ik of the bracket Ib adjacent the radial hole 40, 4b, 4c and 4d.

A bracket Il (Figs. 1, 2, ll, 12) is secured to a the top of bracket lb by the screws A, B, C, and D. The bracket I1 is an integral member comprising a base I'Ia shaped to fit the top of bracket lb and an arm Ilb projecting upwardly and to the right as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at an angle from the base Ila. The end of arm IT!) is bifurcated to form two oppositely disposed lugs lie and IId. A transverse hole Ile is provided in the lugs I10 and I'ld to pivotally mount a yoke I8 (Figs. 1, 2, l1, 12). two downwardly projecting arms Ifla and I 8b, arm IBb being somewhat longer than arm Illa. The top I80! of yoke I8 is suitably shaped to fit between lugs lie and lid of bracket I1 and yoke I8 is pivotally mounted on bracket l! by a transverse pin E which passes through hole He in lugs 11c and lid and hole Be in yoke l8. Inwardly projecting shoes Illh and I 87 are suitably secured to arms I86; and I8b of yoke I3 by studs Illj and I89 and engage an annular groove I3a in die head I3, for the purpose of connecting yoke IE to die head I3 for actuation of the die chasers (not shown) within the die head in conventional fashion. The stud l8g extends outwardly somewhat beyond arrn Illb of yoke I8. A roller Illm is rotatably mounted on the extended portion of stud I89 and is suitably secured thereto.

In a threaded hole 2| (Figs. 3, 4), which passes through the boss I h and the bracket lb, a stud 22 is secured. A conventional compound or double bushing 23 (Figs. 1. 2) provided with an integral external key is placed over the stud 22 and a gear 24 is secured on the bushing 23, the key on bushing 23 engaging a suitable key slot in the gear. A washer 25 is provided on stud 22 adjacent the boss Iii. Lubrication of the stud 22 and bushing 23 is provided for by a transverse oil passage 39 passing through the bracket lb. Provision is made at the end of the passage 39 to receive a conventional grease cup fitting. A gear 26 which The yoke I8 is a U-shaped member with V engages the gear-toothed portion 3a of spindle 3 is also mounted on the outer end of compound bushing 23 and secured by the external key. The bushing 23 is revolvably secured to the stud 22 by a Washer 21 and a nut 21a.

A suitable hole 28 (Figs. 2. 3) is bored longitudinally through bracket lb and the axis of the web If to receive a long feed screw 29. The right end of feed screw 29 as viewed in Fig. 2 is provided with a threaded portion 2911, the teeth of which are of saw-tooth form. The extreme right end of feed screw 29 (Fig. 2) is shaped to form a spiral cam 29b (Fig. 5). At the termination of threaded portion 29a a narrow annular groove 290 (Fig. 5) is provided. Adjacent this groove there is provided about a shaft portion 29 an integral collar 29d with a sharply tapered conical shoulder 29c extending to the bottom corner of groove 29c. The shaft MI is rotatably supported by hole 28 of web If, collar 29d being adjacent face In of bracket la. The end 29;] of shaft 29f projects through bracket lb and boss In. A washer 34 is placed over the projecting end 299 adjacent boss lo and a gear 3I is held in locked relation on the end of shaft 29f by a key 32 and a key slot 33 in the shaft 29!. The gear 3I intermeshcs with gear 23. A nut 36 and Washer are fastened to end 29g of the lead screw 29. A hole 31 is provided in the bearing member Ib with a suitable grease retaining cup to lubricate shaft 29] as it rotates within hole 23.

Secured to the other end of base 2 by screw 38!) is a rod support 39. The rod support 39 (Figs. 1, 2, 8, 9) is an integrally cast U-shaped member comprising a base 39a and two upwardly projecting brackets 39b and 390 at each end or base 39a. On a suitable milled face 39f on the outside surface of bracket 39b of rod support 39, a stop plate 87 is secured approximately in the center of bracket 3% by a screw 88. The stop plate 31 (Fig. 9) is a small somewhat rectangular plate provided with two vertical ribs 81a on its vertical When the plate 87 is placed adjacent the surface 39 of the rod support 39, the ribs 81a snugly fit on each side of the bracket 39!) thereby preventing sideways movement of the plate. The upper surface 87b of the plate 87 is of arcuate A lever 89 (Fig. 9) is pivotally secured to the rod support 39 abutting the plate 87 by a pin 90 which passes through a suitable hole 9I through the rod support 39, plate 81 and the lever 39. The pin 99 is secured to the rod support 39 by 5 '1- a set screw 92 (Fig. 8) provided in a suitably in lug 93:! to attach the link 93 to the lever 89 by a pin 94. The pin 94 is in turn secured to 39b and 390, respectively, in the rod support 39, are provided to receive slide rods 49 and 4| (Figs. 1, 2, 11) respectively. The slide rods 49 and 4| are cylindrical and extend longitudinally along the base 2 passing through suitably bored holes 42 and 43 in the bosses Ie and Id respectively.

In a slot lp (Fig. 3) formed by the bii'urcated end ii of the member if a pawl 44 (Figs. 2. is inserted and is held therein by a transverse pin 45 which passes through suitable holes in the end la of member If and in the pawl 44. The pawl 44 has a downwardly projecting lug 44a. The right side of lug 44a as viewed in Fig. 5 is inclined upwardly to form a sloped surface 44?) which engages a corresponding surface of a latch 65 which will be described. A projecting lug 440 is formed at right angles to the lug 44a on pawl 44 and has a rounded bottom corner 44d. A slot 44! is centrally provided in the pawl 44 to house a torsion spring 46, which is looped about the pin 45 to bias the pawl 44 counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 5 and 2. The pawl 44 cannot be rotated in a clockwise direction beyond that shown in Figs. 2 and 5 because the pawl 44 strikes the bot tom of slot in thereby preventing further rotatlon.

An integrally cast slide 48 (Figs. 1, 2, 6) is provided having a rectangularly-shaped body 481:, two downwardly projecting cylindrical bearing arms 48!: and 480 on each side 01 the body 48a, and a stiiienin web 48d between the arms 48?; and 0. Longitudinal holes 48a: and 48y bored in th arms 4% and 480 are provided for mounting the slide 48 on the slide bars 40 and 4|. Projecting to the right as shown in Fig. 1 and sloping upwardly from the body 480. is an inverted channel-shaped support Mic. The end of support 48c terminates in an integral upstandin bracket 48;. On each side of the bracket 48f cylindrical projecting bosses 48g and 4871. are provided and are separated by a U-shaped recess 48k in the bracket 48!. Horizontal holes 48m and 4811 are provided respectively in the bosses 48g and 48h. A similar hole 48p is provided in the bracket 48 j directly under the recess 48k (Fig. '7). Each of the holes 48m, Min and 48p is suitably counterbored to receive plungers 49a, 49b and 49c. Springs 50a, 50b and 500 are provided directly in back of the plungers 49a, 49b and 49c respectively to bias the plungers outwardly into the recess 4870. The springs 50a, 50b and 500 are retained within the recesses by screws 5Ia, SI!) and 5: respe tively which are threadably secured within counterbored holes 48m, 481; and 4817. A bearing cap 52 (Figs. 1 and 2) is secured to the left side of the body 48a as viewed in Figs. 1 and 13 by screws 53a, 53b, 53c and 53d. The bearing cap 52 and the body 48a are suitably bored to form a. socket joint 54 to receive a bearing member 10 which will be described.

A longitudinal slot 56 (Figs. 2 ard 6) is centrally provided on the underside of the slide 48. A hole 51 (Fig. 2) is provided extending upwardly from the bottom of the slot 56 in member 48a to receive a plunger 58 and a plunger spring 59. Adjacent the bod 48a there is provided an integral raised surface 60 which underlies the bottom of bearing cap 52.

An integral projecting shoulder Bl of slide 48 is provided to support a stop 62 (Fig. 10). The stop 62 has a downwardly projecting arm 62a, the end of which is shaped to form a cam surface 62b. The other side of the stop 62 projects downwardly and outwardly to form an arm 62c.

Alongitudinal hole Glo (Fig. 6) is provided near t ewupper top edge of the shoulder 6| of the slid 8 to receive a headed pin 63 (Fig. l). The stop B2 is pivotally mounted on the pin 63 by its engagement in the hole 62d. The pin 63 is secured to the projection ill by a set screw 64 provided in a suitably threaded hole (Fig. 10)

in the top of the projection GI and extending downwardly to the pin 63. In a projecting end portion 481' of slide 48 there is provided a transverse hole 483 (Fig. 6). Inserted within this hole is a, plunger 85. A plunger spring 86 bottoms in the hole 485 in back of the plunger 85 to bias the plunger spring 86 outwardly to thereby exert a force against the projecting end 620. of stop 62, tending to rotate the stop 62 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 10.

A latch 65 (Figs. 2 and 3) is pivotally mounted within the slot 56 on slide 48 by a transverse pin 66 which is inserted in a suitable hole 61 (Fig. 6) in the slide 48 and the latch 65. The latch 65 has a rectangular end portion 65a and an extending arm 65b (Figs. 2 and 5). An upstanding head 650 is formed on the end of the arm 55b and on the underside of arm 651) are provided saw-tooth teeth 65d adapted to engage the teeth 29a. of feed screw 29. On the extreme end 65c of the arm 65b, adjacent the threaded portion, there is provided a bevel 65 corresponding to the tapered portion 29c of collar 25d. Extending at an inclined angle upwardly from the end 652 there is provided a cam surface 650 on the head 65c.

A barrel holder assembly 58 (Figs. 1, 2, l3, 14) comprising a tube 69, a bearing 10 and a, sleeve H is supported by the bracket 48 and the body 48a of slide 48. The barrel bearing 10 is a doubly truncated sphere and is mounted within the socket joint 54 of the body 48a to permit swiveling movement of the barrel holder tube 69. A longitudinal hole 54a is provided in the bearing 10 to receive the tube 59. The tube 69 is secured to the bearing 10 by a pin 12 which projects upwardly from a suitable hole 13 provided in the bearing 15. A shoulder 690, on tube 65 abuts the bearing H1. The bearing cap 52 secures the bearing 10 within the socket joint 54. As it is desirable to limit the swiveling movement of the barrel holder tube 69 to movement in a vertical plane a key 'Hb is provided in a suitable recess Ha in the bottom of the bearing cap 52 and the body 48a to prevent any sideways motion.

The sleeve N (Fig. 14) is threadably secured to the tube 69. A longitudinal slot 14 is provided on the underside of sleeve (I to receive a barrel latch 15. The barrel latch 1'5 is a long, narrow member having an upwardly projecting latch shoulder 15a formed near the right end of the latch '15 as viewed in Fig. 14. From the top of the shoulder 15a the latch is inclined downwardly to the end thereof to form a suitable surface for manually depressing the latch. The

- sleeve H a transverse slot other end of latch 15 is cut out to form a step 15?). Slightly to the right of step 15b as shown in Fig. 14 there is provided an integral transverse segment member 150 which pivotally engages the walls of suitable transverse slot Ila.

in the bottom of sleeve H. A spring 16 is placed between the bottom of slot 74 of sleeve II and the step 151) to bias the latch shoulder 15a upwardly. There is provided on the top of the I04. which is cut through to the interior of the sleeve, to receive a stop I03. The stop N33 is in the form of a segment and is slidably inserted in the slot I04, clearance being provided on the underside of the segment to permit a barrel to be inserted in the sleeve ll. However the stop I03 projects sufficiently into the sleeve to engage shoulder d provided on each side of a barrel 80 as will be presently described. A collar ll, provided with a suitable longitudinal slot Ila to receive the latch I5, is placed about the sleeve II to retain the latch 15 within the slot 14 and the stop I03 within the slot I04. The collar 11 abuts against a shoulder H b of sleeve TI and is secured to the sleeve II by a set screw "I8 provided in the top of collar H in a threaded hole I9. The sleeve H is bored to permit the insertion of a rifle barrel 80. The right end of tube 69 as viewed in Fig. 13 has a counterbored hole 690 to receive a guide bushing BI and a floating barrel bushing 82. The uide bushing 8| has a conically shaped interior, the larger end of which faces to the right as viewed in Fig. 13 and abuts a shoulder 691) formed by the counterbored hole 690 in tube 89. The barrel bushing 82 is reamed to fit the tapered forward portion of barrel 80 and the interior corners of each each of the bushing suitably beveled to prevent the barrel from catching on the corners of the bushing as the barrel is inserted therein. A spring 83 i placed adjacent the left face of bushing 82 to bias it to the right as shown in Fig. 13. A hollow bolt 84 is threadsbly screwed into the right end of the tube 59 as viewed in Fig. 13 to retain the spring 83 within the tube 69.

A suitably shaper cover 98 (Figs. 1, 2, 11) is provided to cover the latch and lead screw mech anism. The cover 98 is secured to the slide 48 by suitable screws in the surface 60 of slide 43 and extends over the member I j of bearing block I.

Secured to the cover 98, as shown in Figs. ll and 12, by the screws 99a and 99b is a trip block I00. The trip block I is assembled opposite the arm I832 of yoke I8 and comprises an upwardly projecting arm lcfla with an integral angularly displaced base Mill). The upwardly projecting arm 100a is supported by an integral stiilening web H300 extending from the top of the arm I00a to the base Illllb. Near the top of the arm "30a a transverse threaded hole lfllld is provided to receive an adjusting screw IflI (Fig. 12). The adjusting screw IOI contacts the roller I8m provided on stud Iflg on the arm lb of the yoke I8. In a projecting portion IilBe on the end of base 30b there is provided another adjusting screw I02 which is screwed into a threaded hole I00 which cooperates with the lower portion of the arm lab of yoke I8.

To operate the barrel threading machine herein described, the source of power (not shown) connected to the shaft 1 revolves the die head I3. Power is also transmitted to the lead screw 25 through the gears 23. 24 and SI, thereby revolving the feed screw 29. The barrel 80 is inserted in the barrel holder tube 69 by placing the muzzle of the barrel in the opening provided in the sleeve TI, depressing the latch I and pushing the barrel to the left as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The muzzle of the barrel is guided through tube 89 by the tapered guide bushing BI and into the floating barrel bushing 82. When the barrel is inserted into the barrel bushing 82 a tapered portion of the barrel engages the correspondingly tapered interior of the bushing and forces the bushing against the spring 83, thereby compressing the spring 83. When the barrel 80 has been pushed hard against the bias of spring 83 and then released, the spring 83 will then bias the barrel BB in the opposite direction until shoulder 80b of barrel 80 engages shoulder I50: oi latch 15. Barrel 80 is then ready to be threaded. The barrel is locked against rotational movement by the stop I03 which engages the flat surfaces 80d on barrel 80.

ill

When the lever 89 is rotated to the left as viewed in Figs. 1 and 9 the pin 94 (Fig. 9) contacts the end of slotted hole 53!) and link 93 and slide 48 are moved in a corresponding direction. As the slide 48 is thus moved the face 621) of stop 62 (Fig. comes in contact with the cam face 23?) of the feed screw 29 while concurrently the surface 659 of latch 65 contacts the rounded corner 44d of the pawl 44 camming the latch 65 downwardly. However, the teeth 65d cannot engage the corresponding teeth 29a of the feed screw 29 until the shoulder 65h on the cam 29b contacts the front edge of the projectin member 62a of the stop 52, therby throwing the stop out of engagement with the cam surface 29b. Thus when the stop 62 is forced out of engagement with the cam surface 292:, the continued pressure on lever 80 forces the slide 48 still further ahead and surface 441) of pawl 44 engages surface 659 of latch 65 and cams the latch downward so that the teeth 65d will always engage the teeth 29a of feed screw 29 in perfect interrneshing relation. At this point the pin 94 strikes the notch 81c limiting further movement of the lever 89 to prevent injury to the threads on either the latch or feed screw as the latch 05 has engaged feed screw 29. When the latch 65 engages feed screw 29, the slot 93b of the link 93 allows the slide 48 to be pulled along the slide bars and 4|, thereby feeding the end of the barrel 80 into the die head I3, and the muzzle end 800 of barrel 80 engages the die chasers within the die head I3. The threads are then cut in a conventional manner.

When the correct amount of thread has been cut on the end 000 of the barrel 80, the trip block on the cover 98 has reached a point where the roller film has contacted the adjusting nut IOI on the trip block I00 (Fig. 12). As the adjustlug nut IOI contacts the roller lam a collar 20 provided on die head 13 is biased to the right as viewed in Fig. 12 by a spring (not shown) within the die head I 3, thus causing the dies (not shown) to open thereby terminating the thread cutting operation. The latch (Fig. 5) has in the meantime passed under pawl 44 and the bottom surface of the pawl 44 has slipped off the surface 650 of the latch 65. Then the plunger 58, actuated by spring 55, biases the latch clockwise as shown in Fig. 2 out of engagement with feed screw 29. Thus the slide 48 is stopped when latch 65 is disengaged from feed screw 29. As a precautionary measure, in the event of some failure of the mechanism to bring the latch out of engagement with the feed screw, the beveled shoulder 65] on the end of latch 65 will contact the corresponding beveled shoulder 29c of collar 29d on feed screw 29, thereby camming latch 65 out of engagement with feed screw 29 to stop the rearward movement of slide 48 and preventing any damage to the mechanism.

The slide 48 is manually returned to its starting position by the lever 89. As the slide 48 is returned to this position, the latch 65 contacts the pawl 44 and biases the pawl 44 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 2 permitting the slide 48 to be so withdrawn. The torsion spring 46 returns the pawl 54 to its normal position. As the slide 48 is returned to the starting position, the lower adlusting screw I02 on the trip block I00 contacts the lower edge of the arm I of yoke I8 which brings the collar 20 to its original position and, assisted by the spring (not shown) in the die head l3, automatically closes the die chasers (not shown) within the die head l3 to be ready for cutting the thread of the next barrel inserted in the die head 13. The barrel BI) is then readily removed from the barrel holder tube by depressing the latch 15 and manually withdrawing the barrel.

Thus it is readily apparent that by the use of this machine tool feeding mechanism a fine thread can be out quickly and conveniently on one end of a firearm barrel of considerable mass without danger of damage to either the die or the threads. It will also be noted that since the rotation of the feed screw 29 is synchronized with that of the thread cutting dies it is possible to reproduce identical threads on a plurality of workpieces such as the barrel 8!), i. e., the threads cut will originate and end at identical angular locations with respect to the axes of the barrels.

It should be understood that While the ma- :1.

chine tool feeding mechanism herein described is preferably used for cutting a thread on the muzzle of a firearm barrel this type of mechanism can be employed for cutting threads on any cylindrical object which is of such comparatively great mass in relation to the size of the threads that the threads as formed cannot be used to advance the work into the thread cutting dies.

I claim:

1. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw having an exposed end disposed in the path of said work support, a connector secured to said work supporting member,

a toothed portion on said connector adjacent said feed screw, means for engaging said toothed portion of the connector in the teeth of said lead screw and cam means on the exposed end of said feeding screw cooperating with said work support for preventing such engagement until said toothed portion is aligned with respect to the threads of said feed screw.

2. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said fixed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw,

cam means in the path of such movement of the connector operable to engage said toothed portion in the threads of said feed screw and means preventing such movement of the work support until said toothed portion is aligned with the threads of said feed screw.

3. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said feed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw, cam means in the path of such movement of the connector operable to engage said toothed per,- tion in the threads of said feed screw, means preventing such movement of the work support until said toothed portion is aligned with the threads of said feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of a desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

4. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said feed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw, 2. first cam means in the path of such movement of the connector operable to engage said toothed portion in the threads of said feed screw, a second cam means on the end of said feed screw engaging a stop on said work support preventing feeding movement of the work support, said cam means disengaging said stop when said toothed portion is aligned with the threads of the feed screw.

5. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said feed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw, a first cam means in the path of such vmovement of the connector operabl to engage said toothed portion in the threads of said feed screw, a second cam means on the end of said feed screw engaging a stop on said work support preventing feeding movement of the work support, said second cam means disengaging said stop when said toothed portion is aligned with the threads of the feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and a third cam means on said feed screw engaging said connector after said die is opened to remove the connector from engagement with the feed screw.

6. In a thread cutting machine, a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, a rotating feeding screw, a connector member mounted on said work supporting member, means engaging said connector member with said feed screw to effect feeding movement of the work supporting member, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

'7. A machine for successively cutting identical threads on a plurality of similar workpieces comprising a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, means on said work support arranged to engage a common reference surface on each of the workpieces to successively hold such pieces in the same angular relation to said die, a rotating feed screw, gearing connections between said feed screw and said rotating die, a connector member mounted on said work supporting member, means effecting engagement of said connector with the feed screw whereby a feeding movement is imparted to said work support, said means arranged to engage said connector to said feed screw at a fixed relative position of aid connector with respect to said feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

8. A machine for successively cutting identical threads on a plurality of similar workpieces comprising a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, means on said work support arranged to engage a common reference surface on each of the workpieces to successively hold such pieces in the same angular relation to said die, a rotating feed screw, gearing connections between said feed screw and said rotating die, a connector member mounted on said work supporting member, a toothed portion on said connector adjacent said feed screw, means for engaging said toothed portion of the connector in the teeth of said lead screw, means preventing such engagement until said toothed portion assumes a fixed relative position with respect to said feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

9. A machine for successively cutting identical threads on a plurality of similar workpieces comprising a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, means on said work support arranged to engage a common reference surface on each of the workpieces to successively hold such pieces in the same angular relation to said die, a rotating feed screw, gearing connections between said feed screw and said rotating die, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said feed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw, cam means in the path of such movement of the connector operable to engage said toothed portion in the threads of said feed screw, means preventing such movement of the work support until said toothed portion attains a fixed relative position with respect to said feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

10. A machine for successively cutting identical threads on a plurality of similar workpieces comprising a rotating thread cutting die, a work support mounted for linear feeding movement with respect to said die, means on said work support arranged to engage a common reference surface on each of the workpieces to successively hold such pieces in the same angular relation to said die, a rotating feed screw, gearing connections between said feed screw and said rotating die, a connector pivotally secured to said work support, a toothed portion on said connector shaped to engage the threads of said feed screw, resilient means biasing said connector away from such engagement position, means for moving said work support in a feeding direction whereby said toothed portion of the connector is moved adjacent to said feed screw, a first cam means in the path of such movement of the connector operable to engage said toothed portion in the threads of said feed screw, a second cam means on the end of said feed screw engaging a stop on said work support preventing feeding movement of the work support, said second cam means disengaging said stop when said toothed portion attains a fixed relative position with respect to said feed screw, means operable by movement of said work support to open said die at completion of desired length of thread cutting and means for disengaging said connector from the feed screw after said die is opened.

JOHN C. GARAND. 

